ML7250: Ex-Beginners Language Year 2 German

School German
Department Code MLANG
Module Code ML7250
External Subject Code 100323
Number of Credits 30
Level L5
Language of Delivery English
Module Leader Ms Marion Heuchert
Semester Double Semester
Academic Year 2022/3

Outline Description of Module

This module builds upon the linguistic knowledge acquired in Level 4 of the degree and provides a solid preparation for independent study during the compulsory period of study abroad in the third year.

This module is designed to enable you to develop the transferable skills of translating from and into the German language efficiently; interpreting formal and informal texts between German and English; presenting, in writing, an extended, logical argument, summarising other points of view, assessing and evaluating evidence and reaching personal conclusions and syntheses; demonstrating competence in other writing skills; and operating and presenting arguments effectively in the German language through the use of monologue, dialogue and group discussion. This module also aims to prepare you thoroughly both linguistically and culturally for your period of study abroad. You will be able to manipulate information from spoken and written texts in German.

While part of any class is likely to involve direct teaching, the emphasis is on student participation. You will be required to prepare materials in advance of classes and you will be expected to actively take part in the discussions (in person and/or online) and in-class tasks.

This course corresponds to a B1-B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

On completion of the module a student should be able to

  1. Read, understand and speak German to a level comparable with B1-B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR)
  2. Engage confidently and with appropriate grammatical correctness and spontaneity in everyday conversation in the German language. This includes describing experiences, dreams, hopes and ambitions, offering opinions and outlining the advantages and disadvantages of various topics of personal interest and/or relating to target language culture and society.
  3. Write coherent texts in German in a range of registers on a range of topics relating to target language culture and society with appropriate grammatical and lexical accuracy.
  4. Extract and synthesise data and ideas from a range of authentic written and/or audio/audio-visual  texts.
  5. Translate passages of text from and into English, evidencing an enhanced capacity for dealing with linguistic problems encountered in translation.

How the module will be delivered

The module will be delivered through a range of interactive teaching sessions supplemented by online teaching and learning activities and materials – and may include, where relevant, asynchronous materials such as lecture recordings. Full details on the delivery mode of this module will be available on Learning Central at the start of the academic year – and may be, in part, determined by Welsh Government and Public Health Wales guidance.  

Independent Learning: You will be expected to spend a significant amount of time studying and participating in individual and collaborative activities outside the live sessions. Materials will be provided on Learning Central which will help you develop your expertise as an independent language learner. You will be asked to consolidate your language learning by learning vocabulary and linguistic structures, and by reading, watching and/or listening to material in the German language. You will also be expected to prepare and complete exercises and activities online, to complete written, listening, and oral tasks and to engage with tutors and peers through discussion boards and forums. Over the course of the year, you will begin to acquire a repertoire of effective language learning strategies.

Skills that will be practised and developed

You will develop:

  1. An understanding of the principles of learning a foreign language intensively and organise your learning with guidance with the tutor
  2. A greater awareness of how languages (including the mother tongue) function
  3. The skills to be effective, independent, and self-aware learners, including active reflection on learning processes and preferences so as to independently develop appropriate strategies and linguistic skills to ensure progression
  4. The ability to work creatively and flexibly with others as part of a team
  5. Cultural and linguistic awareness in preparation for the year abroad.
  6. Intercultural awareness, understanding and competence, including a critical understanding of other cultures and practice other than one’s own
  7. Enhanced skills in effective communication, presentation, and interaction – both in an online environment and face-to-face
  8. An awareness of registers (both written and conversational), accents and pronunciation.
  9. Enhanced analytical skills
  10. An understanding and appreciation of key translation problems and techniques for overcoming these.
  11. Enhanced digital literacy skills including the ability to engage with appropriate language learning technologies
  12. The ability to identify, assess, and make good use of appropriate reference materials (e.g. dictionaries; online resources; self-study tool)

How the module will be assessed

The key language skills are receptive (reading and listening), production (speaking and writing), mediation (translation between two languages) and intercultural awareness. Developing these skills involves acquiring metalinguistic and lexical competence, i.e. studying the building blocks of the language including grammatical and lexical patterns and structures. All of these skills are assessed through continuous assessment over the course of the module which reflects the progressive and accumulative nature of language learning.

The method(s) of assessing the learning outcomes for this module are set out in the Assessment Table, which also contains the weightings of each assessment component.

OPPORTUNITY FOR RE-ASSESSMENT

You may be required to resit one or more of the assessments in this module if you fail the module. The Examination Board will advise you which assessments you need to resit during the August resit period. Resit assessments that are not supported by extenuating circumstances will be capped at the pass mark applicable to your programme.

MAPPING OF ASSESSMENTS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

The translation assesses ILO 5

Essay in German assesses ILO 3

Class Test assesses ILO 3

The oral assesses ILO 1,2

Written exam assesses ILO 3,4,5

 

 

Assessment Breakdown

Type % Title Duration(hrs)
Written Assessment 20 Translation Into English With Commentary N/A
Oral/Aural Assessment 20 Oral Exam N/A
Written Assessment 20 Essay In German N/A
Class Test 10 Grammar Test N/A
Exam - Spring Semester 30 Ex-Beginners Language Year 2 German 1.5

Syllabus content

The course will focus on developing and encouraging:

  • further analytical skills
  •  further grammatical skills and knowledge 
  • accurate writing in German
  • cultural and linguistic awareness in preparation for the year abroad
  • advanced IT skills
  • independent and group working skills
  • the knowledge of German through listening and comprehension exercises
  • accurate spoken expression in German
  •  awareness of registers (both written and conversational), accents and pronunciation
  • the understanding of social and cultural aspects of the German language
  • the skill of translating short passages from German into English (and, when possible, from English into German)
  • awareness of key translation problems and techniques for overcoming these
  • transferable skills

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